Lifting and removal device

ABSTRACT

A method including providing a device including a first member having a first section, a second section and a first attachment member to form an attachment with one of two slots of a manhole cover on a distal end of the second section and a handle at a proximal end of the first section, and a second member rotatably attached to the first member and including a second attachment member to form an attachment with the other slot on a distal end thereof; placing the first attachment member in attachment with one slot and the second attachment member in attachment with the other slot; applying upward force to handle to lift the manhole cover out of a manhole in which the manhole cover is in place; and applying rearward force to the handle to drag the manhole cover away from the manhole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/495,241, filed Jun. 13, 2012, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/496,534, filedJun. 13, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following information is provided to assist the reader to understandthe invention disclosed below and the environment in which it willtypically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limitedto any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwisein this document. References set forth herein may facilitateunderstanding of the present invention or the background of the presentinvention. The disclosure of all references cited herein areincorporated by reference.

In a number of embodiments, devices or tools hereof are designed for usein removal various object including, for example, manhole covers.Recently, a newer style manhole covers have been replacing the olderstyle of manhole covers at a fairly rapid pace. Unlike older manholecovers, which include “pick” holes inward from the perimeter thereof andpassing therethrough in which a pick or hook can be inserted forremoval, the newer manhole covers 10 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) include apair of opposing depressions or slots 12 about the perimeter or edgethereof. Each slot 12 defines an inner edge or flange 14. Slots 12 arebuilt into cover 10, and not through it. Slots 12 are intended tominimize water infiltration through cover 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1B,manhole cover 10 rests upon a flange 16 which defines an opening 18.Opening 18 had a diameter less than that of manhole cover 10, anprevents manhole cover 10 from falling though opening 18 during liftingand/or removal.

Traditional manhole cover removal methods do not work with manholecovers 10. Workers often find manhole covers 10 difficult to remove.Moreover, removal often requires two workers. A number of devices havebeen designed to facilitate the removal of various manhole covers,including manhole covers 10. However, many such devices are difficult touse, do not operate well, are overly complex and/or suffer from otherdeficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a device for use in connection with a manhole covershaving two generally opposing slots, includes a first member including afirst section, a second section and a first attachment member on adistal end of the second section. The first attachment member is adaptedto form an attachment with one of the two slots. The device furtherincludes a second member including a second attachment member on adistal end thereof. The second attachment member of the second member isadapted to form an attachment with the other of the two slots. The firstmember and the second member are rotatably connected so that a distancebetween the first attachment member of the first member and the secondattachment member of the second member can be adjusted. The device mayfurther include a handle attached to a proximal end of the first sectionof the first member.

In a number of embodiments, the first section of the first memberextends from the second section so that a proximal end of the firstsection is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover of nogreater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet,no greater than 18 inches, or even no greater than 12 inches when thefirst attachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots andthe second attachment member is in attachment with the other of the twoslots.

In a number of embodiments, the device further includes a biasing memberto bias rotation of the first member relative to the second member in amanner to draw the first attachment member of the first member and thesecond attachment member of the second member toward each other. Thebiasing member may, for example, include a spring attached at a firstend thereof to the first member and attached at a second end thereof tothe second member.

In a number of embodiments, the second member includes a first sectionand a second section. The second attachment member is attached to adistal end of the second section of the second member. The first sectionof the second member extends from the second section of the secondmember so that a proximal end of the first section of the second memberis at a height above the surface of the manhole cover of no greater than3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2 feet, no greaterthan 18 inches, or even no greater than 12 inches when the firstattachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots and thesecond attachment member is in attachment with the other of the twoslots. The device may further include a handle attached to a proximalend of the first section of the first member and a handle attached to aproximal end of the first section of the second member.

In another aspect, a method of removing a manhole covers includes usinga device hereof to remove the manhole cover.

In a further aspect, a device for use in connection with an object,includes a first member which includes a first section, a second sectionand a first attachment member on a distal end of the second section. Thefirst attachment member is adapted to form an attachment with one sideof the object. The device further includes a second member including asecond attachment member on a distal end thereof. The second attachmentmember of the second member being adapted to form an attachment withanother side of the object. The first member and the second member arerotatably connected so that a distance between the first attachmentmember of the first member and the second attachment member of thesecond member can be adjusted.

The first section of the first member extends from the second section sothat a proximal end of the first section is at a height above thesurface of the object of no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5feet, no greater than 2 feet, not greater than 18 inches, or even nogreater than 12 inches when the first attachment member is in attachmentwith the object and the second attachment member is in attachment withthe object.

The present invention, along with the attributes and attendantadvantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view ofthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a top plan view of a manhole cover in place withinits seating.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the manhole cover inplace within its seating.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a devicehereof including two handles for use by one or two people.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of one member of the device ofFIG. 2A wherein the change in the height of the handle for the case thatthe member was formed in a straight line is illustrated in broken lines.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a devicehereof including a single handle.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a manhole cover in placewithin its seating.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 inpartial connection with the manhole cover.

FIG. 4C illustrates a perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 fullyconnected to the manhole cover.

FIG. 4D illustrates a perspective view of the use of the device of FIG.2 to remove the manhole cover from its seating.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 inpartial connection with the manhole cover.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 fullyconnected to the manhole cover.

FIG. 5C illustrates a perspective view of the use of the device of FIG.3 to remove the manhole cover from its seating.

FIG. 5C illustrates another perspective view of the use of the device ofFIG. 3 to remove the manhole cover from its seating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”,and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an attachment mechanism”includes a plurality of such attachment mechanisms and equivalentsthereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and referenceto “the attachment mechanism” is a reference to one or more suchattachment mechanisms and equivalents thereof known to those skilled inthe art, and so forth.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a device 100 to address lifting,removal and/or replacement problems associated with a number of objects,including manhole covers 10 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A and1B. Device 100 includes a first member 110 and a second member 130 whichis pivotably or rotatably attached to first member 110 via, for example,a connector 150 such as a bolt. In the illustrated representativeembodiment, first member 110 is formed as a frame including a firstextending side member 112 a and a second extending side member 112 bspaced from the first side member 112 a to define a space 114therebetween. Second member 130 extends through space 114. Connector 150passes through aligned passages (not shown) formed in each of secondmember 130 and side members 112 a and 112 b of first member 110 topivotably connect second member 130 to first member 110.

In a number of embodiments, a first, upper or proximal section 110 a offirst member 110 includes a handle 116 attached to a proximal endthereof. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 116 extends laterallyfrom side members 112 a and 112 b to, for example, be grasped by eachhand of a user on each side thereof. In a number of embodiments, sidemembers 112 a and 112 b extend from handle 116 and angle, curve or benddownward, for example, in the vicinity of connector 150 to form asecond, lower or distal section 110 b. An attachment mechanism 120 isattached to the distal end of second section 110 b (that is, to sidemembers 112 a and 112 b of second section 110 b) of first member 110. Inthe illustrated embodiment, attachment mechanism 120 includes agenerally downward extending portion 122 and a generally horizontallyextending portion 124 which together form a “hook” which is adapted toenter one of slots 12 and cooperate with edge 14 to connect manholecover 10 to device 100. As clear to one skilled in the art, otherconfigurations of attachment mechanism 120 can be used to cooperate withvarious types of slots or other connection mechanisms on manhole coversand other items. Sections 110 a and 110 b of first member 110 can, forexample, be formed from different sections of material (for example, ametal) which are rigidly attached (for example, welded). Alternatively,can sections 110 a and 110 b of first member 110 can be formed frommonolithic lengths of a material.

A first, upper or proximal section 130 a of second member 130 includes ahandle 136 on an end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 136extends laterally from second member on each side thereof to, forexample, be grasped by each hand of a user on each side thereof. Each ofboth of handle 116 or handle 136 can alternatively be grasped by one ormore hands of multiple users. Handle 136 (and or handle 116) can, forexample, be hollow and include one or more caps 138 to allow access toan inner volume thereof to enable storage of tools (for example, manholea manhole cover cleaning tool etc.) and/or other items. An attachmentmechanism 140 is attached to a second, lower or distal section 130 b ofsecond member 130. In the illustrated embodiment, a first extendingmember 132 a of second member 130 extends from handle 136 and angles,curves or bends downward, for example, in the vicinity of connector 150.An attachment mechanism 140 is attached to a second, lower or distal endof first member 132 a of second member 130. Similar to attachmentmechanism 120, attachment mechanism 140 includes a downward extendingportion 142 and a horizontally extending portion 144 which together forma “hook” which is adapted to enter the other of slots 12 and cooperatewith edge 14 thereof to connect manhole cover 10 to device 100. As clearto one skilled in the art, other configurations of attachment mechanism140 can be used to cooperate with various types of slots or otherconnection mechanisms on manhole covers and other items. Sections 130 aand 130 b of second member 130 can, for example, be formed fromdifferent sections of material (for example, a metal) which are rigidlyattached (for example, welded). Alternatively, sections 130 a and 130 bof second member 130 may be formed from monolithic lengths of amaterial.

In the illustrated embodiment, second member 130 also includes anextending member 132 b which extends from a first point on extendingmember 132 a on the handle side of connector 150 to a second point onextending member 132 a on the attachment mechanism side of connector150, thereby forming a triangular configuration. Extending member 132 bcan, for example, assist in increasing the strength of second member130.

First member 110 and second member 130 can, for example, be biasedrelative to each other so that attachment members 120 and 140 are biasedto be drawn toward each other or radially inward with respect to manholecover 10 (that is, biased such that the distance between attachmentmembers 120 and 140 is biased to decrease). In the illustratedembodiment, a biasing member such as a coil tension spring 160 isconnected at one end thereof to first member 110 at a point belowconnector 150 (that is to section 110 b) and is connected at a secondend thereof to second member 130 at a point below connector 130 (thatis, to section 130 b). The tension applied by spring 160 biases firstmember 120 and second member 140 to rotate relative to each other aboutconnector 150 so that attachment members 120 and 140 are drawn towardeach other or the distance between attachment members 120 and 140 isdecreased.

Device 100 facilitates attaching to or locking onto, for example,manhole covers of the type of manhole cover 10, and allows one or twopeople to safely and easily lift, remove (transport) and then replacecover 10. To attach device 100 to manhole cover 10, one should firstensure that both slots 12 are free of debris. One then places device 100on top of cover 10 with one of attachment mechanisms or hooks 120 and140 securely in one slot 12 and the other of attachment mechanisms orhooks 120 and 140 oriented toward opposite slot 12. Next, gentledownward pressure is applied to one or both of handles 116 and 136. Theapplied pressure causes attachment mechanisms or hooks 120 and 140 tospread or move radially apart until the second attachment mechanisms orhooks 120 and 140 seats securely in opposite slot 12. Device 10 is nowattached to manhole cover 10 and is locked into position. Device 10 willnot release until a reverse procedure is carried. Spring 160 adjustsreadily to different diameter covers and automatically holds device 10securely in position during the procedures of removal and replacement.Providing two handles on device 100 allows these procedures to beaccomplished by one or two people depending on the situation. As long astension is maintained by spring 160, or by lifting upward on either (orboth) handles, tool 10 will not release manhole cover 10 (therebyfacilitating transport of manhole cover 10). As, for example,illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, device 100 remains in operativeconnection with manhole cover 10.

In a representative embodiment, device 100 was approximately 31 incheslong and approximately 10 inches tall when attachment mechanisms 120 and140 were in a fully extended (widest) position. In that embodiment,device 100 weighed approximately 13 lbs. Such a height and lengthprovide a person of average size sufficient leverage, while maintaininga desirable lifting position, when device 100 is attached to a manholecover 10 at ground level. In that representative embodiment, 1¼″× ¼″steel flat bar, welded together, was used throughout device 100.

Angling (or curving) of section 110 a with respect to section 110 b, andangling (or curving) section 130 a with respect to section 130 b (forexample, forming an obtuse angle therebetween) results in handles 116and 136, respectively, being lower than if first member 110 and secondmember 130 extended in a generally straight line or generally linearly(that is, forming an angle of approximately 180°). For example, FIG. 2Billustrates an embodiment, in dashed lines, of first member 110 whereinsection 110 a and section 110 b extend in a generally straight line. Asillustrated in FIG. 2B, the height of handle 116, when first section 110a and second section 110 b of first member 110 extend in a generallystraight line, is higher than if first section 110 a and second section110 b form an angle. Downward force on one or both of handles 116 and136 tends to cause spreading of the distance between attachmentmechanisms 120 and 140 and removal of attachment of device 100 fromconnection with manhole cover 10. To prevent attachment mechanisms 120from separating and disconnecting from manhole cover 10, it is desirablethat an upward force be maintained on handle 116 and/or handle 136 asmanhole cover 10 is being removed from it seating/opening 18. If handle116 and/or handle 136 extend to a certain height (for example, above thewaist of a user), the likelihood that a downward force will be exertedon the handle by the user during removal of manhole cover 10 greatlyincreases. In a number of embodiments, the proximal ends of first member110 and second member 130 (and handles 116 and 136, respectively) extendto a height no greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greaterthan 2 feet, no greater than 18 inches. or even no greater than 12inches when device 100 is connected to manhole cover 10. In general,handle 116 and/or handle 136 may be maintained, for example, below thewaist of a user even in the case that first member 110 and second member130 extend in a generally straight line (as, for example, illustrated indashed lines for first member 110 in FIG. 2B). In one such embodiment,the proximal ends of first member 110 and second member 130 (and handles116 and 136, respectively) extend to a height no greater than 2.5 feetor 30 inches.

An alternative, single-handled, embodiment of a device 100′ hereof isillustrated in FIG. 3. In general, device 100′ operates in a similarmanner to device 100 and like components of device 100′ are numberedsimilarly to corresponding components of device 100 with the addition ofthe designation “′” thereto. Device 100′ differs from device 100 in thatsecond member 130′ is shortened and does not include an upper orproximal section or a handle. Further, the upper or proximal sections ofextending side members 112 a′ and 112 b′ (above or on the handle side ofconnector 150′) are extended to a length D (the distance from connector150′ to handle 116′) provide increased leverage for a single user.Increasing the distance D in a two-handled embodiment such as device 100will also increase leverage for each user or for a single user of suchan embodiment. Providing for greater leverage by increasing distance Dalso assists in maintaining the height of the proximal ends of firstmember 110′ at a relatively low height as described above in connectionwith first member 110.

As with first member 110 of device 100, first member 110′ includes afirst or upper section 110 a′ which extends at an angle (or a curve) toa second or lower section 110 b′. In a number of embodiments, firstsection 110 a′ is angled or bent with respect to second section 110 b′so that a proximal end of first section 110 a′ (and thus handle 116′) islower than would be the case if second section 110 a′ extended in linewith second section 110 b′ to the same distance. However, first section110 a′ and second section 110 b′ (or first member 110′) may extend in agenerally straight line. In a number of embodiments, the proximal end offirst member 110′ and handles 116′ attached thereto extend to a heightno greater than 3 feet, no greater than 2.5 feet, no greater than 2feet, no greater than 18 inches. or even no greater than 12 inches whendevice 100′ is connected to manhole cover 10. Such positioning of theproximal end of first section 110 a′ as described above, enables a userto lift upward on handle 116′ to lift manhole cover 10 out of itsseating and then to pull rearward (with respect to the direction theuser is facing) to remove manhole cover 10 from opening 18 withoutexerting a downward force on handle 116′ and first member 110′. Asdiscussed above, such a downward force causes spreading of the distancebetween attachment mechanisms or hooks 120′ and 140′ and removal ofdevice 100′ from connection with manhole cover 10.

The use of device 100 to remove a manhole cover 10 is illustrated inFIGS. 4B through 4D. The use of device 100′ to remove a manhole cover 10is illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5D.

Mechanisms other biasing spring 160 can used to maintain device 100′ andother devices hereof in operative connection with manhole cover 10. Forexample, the angle of second member 130′ relative to first member 110′can be manually adjustable and a locking mechanism (not shown) canincluded to maintain the selected angle. Alternatively or additionally,the position of one or both of attachment mechanisms or hooks 120′ and140′ on first member 110′ and second member 130′ can be made to beadjustable. In a number of embodiments of devices hereof, a distance D₁between attachment mechanisms or hooks hereof was adjustable between,for example, 24 inches and 28 inches to readily accommodate commonmanhole cover sizes. However, distance D₁ is readily altered toaccommodate many differently sized objects. The distance D in a numberof embodiments was at least equal to one-half of D₁, at least equal toD₁, at least equal to 1.5 D₁ or even at least equal to 2.0 D₁. Theheight to which handle 116′ extends may, for example, be adjusted for aparticular distance D₁ via, for example, the length of first member 110′(the lengths of first section 110 a′ and second section 110 b′), theposition of connector 150′ along first member 110′, and the lengthand/or angle of second member 130′.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth thepreferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Variousmodifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, becomeapparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachingswithout departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of theinvention is indicated by the following claims rather than by theforegoing description. All changes and variations that fall within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced withintheir scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for use in connection with a manholecover having two generally opposing slots, comprising: providing adevice comprising a first member comprising a first section, a secondsection and a first attachment member on a distal end of the secondsection and a handle at a proximal end of the first section whichextends at an angle from the first section, the first attachment memberbeing adapted to form an attachment with one of the two slots; and asecond member comprising a second attachment member on a distal endthereof, the second attachment member of the second member being adaptedto form an attachment with the other of the two slots, the first memberand the second member being rotatably connected so that a distancebetween the first attachment member of the first member and the secondattachment member of the second member can be adjusted; the firstsection of the first member extending from the second section so that aproximal end of the first section is at a height above the surface ofthe manhole cover of no greater than 3 feet when the first attachmentmember is in attachment with one of the two slots and the secondattachment member is in attachment with the other of the two slots;placing the first attachment member in attachment with one of the twoslots and the second attachment member in attachment with the other ofthe two slots; applying upward force to handle to lift the manhole coverout of a manhole in which the manhole cover is in place; and applyingrearward force to the handle to drag the manhole cover away from themanhole.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first section of the firstmember extends from the second section so that a proximal end of thefirst section is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover ofno greater than 2.5 feet when the first attachment member is inattachment with one of the two slots and the second attachment member isin attachment with the other of the two slots.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the first section of the first member extends from the secondsection so that a proximal end of the first section is at a height abovethe surface of the manhole cover of no greater than 2 feet when thefirst attachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots andthe second attachment member is in attachment with the other of the twoslots.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the device further comprising abiasing member to bias rotation of the first member relative to thesecond member in a manner to draw the first attachment member of thefirst member and the second attachment member of the second membertoward each other.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the biasing membercomprises a spring attached at a first end thereof to the first memberand attached at a second end thereof to the second member.
 6. The methodof claim 5 wherein placing the first attachment member in attachmentwith one of the two slots and the second attachment member in attachmentwith the other of the two slots comprises applying a downward force tothe handle.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the second member comprisesa first section and a second section, the second attachment member beingattached to a distal end of the second section of the second member, thefirst section of the second member extending from the second section ofthe second member so that a proximal end of the first section of thesecond member is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover ofno greater than 3 feet when the first attachment member is in attachmentwith one of the two slots and the second attachment member is inattachment with the other of the two slots.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the handle attached to a proximal end of the first section ofthe first member extends generally perpendicular to the first section.9. The method of claim 5 wherein the biasing member is adapted to retainthe device in connection with the manhole cover without manualintervention after the first attachment member is placed in attachmentwith one of the two slots and the second attachment member is placed inattachment with the other of the two slots.
 10. The method of claim 1further comprising applying rearward force to the handle to drag themanhole cover back to the manhole to replace the manhole cover withinthe manhole.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising applyingrearward force to the handle to drag the manhole cover back to themanhole to replace the manhole cover within the manhole.
 12. The methodof claim 9 wherein removing the device from connection with the manholecover comprises application of a downward force to the handle.